(image-X/ImLEOnardo18)
Tamil Nadu: The Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) has resulted in significant improvement in blood pressure and blood sugar control in the state. With the help of Tamil Nadu’s flagship home-based care initiative, hypertension control rates rose from 7.3% in 2019–20 to 17%, while diabetes control climbed from 10.8% to 16.7% – well above the World Bank’s Disbursement-Linked Indicator targets of 3 points and 6 points, respectively.
State Chief Minister MK Stalin took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated that the scheme was not just delivering healthcare but “delivering results”.
“A victory built by reaching people, not waiting for them, and becoming a blueprint for public healthcare across India,” he added.
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Launched in August 2021, MTM deploys women’s health volunteers to deliver screening, medication, and follow-up care at patients’ doorsteps.
“This survey substantiates our intensive efforts under MTM to meet and exceed the World Bank DLIs,” said T. S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, as quoted by The Hindu.
A recent WHO STEPS survey (2023–24) conducted by ICMR-NIE across 8,114 adults in Tamil Nadu showed a significant improvement in hypertension and diabetes in the state.
The baseline STEPS survey (2019–20) had found only 32 per cent of hypertensive adults were diagnosed; by 2023–24, diagnosis jumped to 47%.
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Diabetes diagnosis remained high at 53% in the baseline, with treatment access at 44%, leaving less room for diagnostic gains, but the uptick in glycaemic control underscores MTM’s impact, noted Dr Archana Ramalingam of ICMR-NIE.
While rural populations embraced MTM’s services, the survey identified lower uptake in urban centres like Chennai and Coimbatore, where patients still favour private clinics. Researchers urge the Health Department to address urban implementation challenges and refine service quality to sustain and further improve control rates.
